Fantastic essay. I have seen the positive impact of mitigating cultural sexism w/my own kids. My daughter, for ex, knows that purity culture is toxic & remembers only a church supportive of women in all leadership. She is already one of the most confident, & joyful, young women I know.

“You learn to fall asleep alone
You learn to silence ticking clocks
You learn to pull the shades at night
And double-check the locks
You learn to speak so calmly when
Your heart would like to scream and shout
You learn to stop and breathe and smile
You learn to live without”